The six chapters of this book focus upon Jesus' conception and birth from a virgin, his authoritative teaching, his miracles, his cross, his resurrection, and his ascension. The purpose of the book is to articulate and defend the truth of these salvific mysteries as presented to us in Scripture. In addition to conversing extensively with historical-critical biblical scholarship, the chapters make recourse to the theological tradition from the church fathers onward, with Thomas Aquinas as a touchstone. Levering seeks to make a case for believing in Jesus. At the same time, he shows how each of these mysteries is intimately linked with a truth about Mary the Mother of Jesus, thus arguing for the integral relationship of Christology and Mariology. Mary enacts the reception of the Lord by God's faithful people: the New Adam never chooses to be without the New Eve in God's new covenant family. The Christology offered in this book is therefore both attuned to historical studies of Jesus and Second Temple Judaism and, at the same time, deeply traditional in a contemporary Catholic and ecumenical way.
Industry Reviews
“Levering’s newest installment shows his characteristic capacity for impressive research, charitable reflection, and important insight. Drawing readers into a deep conversation with ancient and modern dogmatic and biblical perspectives on Christ and his mother, this book offers a fulsome Christology and a compelling vision of who Jesus truly is in history and eternity.”
— James B. Prothro, associate professor of scripture and theology, Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology
“This book amply exhibits all of the distinctive gifts for which Matthew Levering's scholarly work is well known and justly celebrated. Penetrating in insight, yet unfailingly charitable in both posture and tone, Engaging the Doctrine of Jesus (and Mary) makes many significant contributions, not just to theological scholarship, but also to the church’s manifold apprehension of the mystery of Christ. Levering’s work here is once again deserving of a broad readership.”
—David Luy, associate professor of systematic theology, North American Lutheran Seminary
“Astounding in its magnitude, Levering’s book presents readers with a beautifully faithful and incredibly rigorous Christology. The volume is truly two books in one, the well-crafted prose of the body as well as the extended conversation in the footnotes. . . . Most striking is that this is a Christology that continually attends to Mary. Readers may not adhere to all of Levering’s conclusions, but he has reminded theologians and exegetes that if we want to study the humanity of God the Son and our own humanity, we can do so thoroughly and fruitfully only if we consider Jesus, the Son of God, as well as Mary, his mother. This will remain on my shelf as a resource, an instructor, and an inspiring friend.”
—Amy Peeler, professor of New Testament, Wheaton College
